Mad Cow, Mad Deer, Mad People?

The medical world was stunned in the 1990s when mad cow disease vaulted across species to infect people in Great Britain. Now, researchers fear that a similar condition in deer might also be poised to make the leap in the U-S.

Since the deer disease was discovered in Wisconsin close to a decade ago, scientists have worried that chronic-wasting prions will build up in wild deer herds and their habitat, where they can survive for years to decades. The longer the build-up, the more likely the prions will jump across species to grazing cattle or even to people who eat venison. Researchers are keeping a close eye on the situation.

Let’s hope that these fears turn out to be groundless and stop the madness for cows, deer — and people.